Who painted Fire of Troy?

Fire of Troy was painted by Kerstiaen de Keuninck in 1592.

Where can I see Fire of Troy?

Fire of Troy is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Fire of Troy?

Fire of Troy is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Fire of Troy?

Museum-quality prints of Fire of Troy are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Fire of Troy

Kerstiaen de Keuninck , 1592

Fire of Troy is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Kerstiaen de Keuninck. It dates from 1592 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Kerstiaen de Keuninck’s oil on canvas, dated 1592, portrays the legendary conflagration of Troy. The composition captures a city engulfed in flames, its structures collapsing amid a billowing, smoke‑filled sky. The work resides in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, where it is displayed as a vivid example of late‑Renaissance narrative painting.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts the chaotic exodus of Troy’s inhabitants as the city burns, a visual retelling of the mythic destruction that followed the Greeks’ stratagem. Figures scramble through the streets, clutching possessions or assisting one another, emphasizing human vulnerability and the urgency of escape in the face of overwhelming disaster.

Technique & Style

De Keuninck employs a dynamic palette of ochres, deep reds, and stark whites to render fire and smoke, creating a stark contrast that heightens the sense of turmoil. The brushwork varies from fine detailing on fleeing figures to broader, more gestural strokes for the flames, while the architectural elements blend classical motifs with contemporary Renaissance forms.

History & Provenance

Completed in the early 1590s, the painting entered the Russian imperial collection during the 18th‑century acquisitions that formed the core of the State Hermitage Museum. It has remained in the museum’s holdings since, documented in inventory records as part of the European painting department.

Context

Created at a time when Northern European artists were increasingly engaging with classical subjects, the work reflects the period’s fascination with antiquity and moralizing narratives. De Keuninck’s choice of the Trojan fire aligns with contemporary interest in illustrating the consequences of hubris and war, themes prevalent in late‑Renaissance art.